Similar Species: This plant is unlikely to be mistaken for other milkvetches in its range and can be distinguished by the characteristic combination of 19 or more leaflets per leaf, free stipules, basifixed hairs, purplish flowers, and nearly naked, thick, pulpy pods that become somewhat woody with age.

Distribution: New Mexico, Lincoln, Otero, and western Chaves counties, in the Sacramento Mountains.

Conservation Considerations: Current land uses apparently do not pose a threat to this species. It appears to respond favorably to soil disturbance and is frequently found on roadcuts and overgrazed ranges.

Important Literature (*Illustration):

*New Mexico Native Plants Protection Advisory Committee. 1984. A handbook of rare and endemic plants of New Mexico. University of New Mexico Press, Albuquerque.

Barneby, R.C. 1964. Atlas of North American Astragalus. Memoirs of the New York Botanical Garden 13:1-1188.

Isely, D. 1998. Native and naturalized Leguminosae (Fabaceae) of the United States (exclusive of Alaska and Hawaii). Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah.

Wooton, E.O. and P.C. Standley. 1913. Descriptions of new plants preliminary to a report upon the flora of New Mexico. Contributions from the U.S. National Herbarium 16:109-196.